Rainy Afternoon at the Dentist

Sumakit ang ngipin ko noong Lunes, pero tiniis ko muna dahil may meeting sa trabaho.

My tooth hurt on Monday, but I endured it first because I had a meeting at work.

Kinabukasan, hindi na ako makanguya nang maayos, kaya nagpa-appointment ako sa dentista malapit sa palengke.

The next day, I could no longer chew properly, so I set an appointment with a dentist near the market.

Umangkas ako sa traysikel habang umuulan nang mahina, at amoy sabong panlaba ang hangin mula sa mga tindahan.

I rode a tricycle while it was lightly raining, and the air smelled like laundry soap from the shops.

Pagdating sa klinika, inabutan ko si Doc Marissa na ngumiti at nagsabing, 'Huwag kang mag-alala, titingnan natin agad'.

Upon arriving at the clinic, I found Doc Marissa smiling and saying, 'Don't worry, we'll check right away.'

Umupo ako sa silyang may ilaw sa itaas, at mabilis niyang sinilip ang bagang ko gamit ang salamin at maliit na kawit.

I sat on the chair with a light above, and she quickly looked at my molar using a mirror and a small hook.

Sabi niya, may butas na maliit pero malalim daw, marahil sa madalas kong pagmemeryenda ng matatamis na turon at milk tea tuwing hapon.

She said there was a small but deep cavity, probably from my habit of snacking on sweet turon and milk tea every afternoon.

Tinurukan niya ako ng kaunting pampamanhid; kinabahan ako, pero kumalma rin dahil mahinahon ang boses niya.

She injected a little anesthetic; I got nervous, but I calmed down because her voice was gentle.

Habang nililinis niya ang sira at nilalagyan ng pasta, pinakinggan ko ang mahinang ugong ng makina at ang radyo na tumutugtog ng kundiman.

While she cleaned the decay and put in a filling, I listened to the soft whir of the machine and to the radio playing kundiman.

Inalok pa ako ng assistant ng malamig na tubig, pero hindi ako uminom dahil manhid pa ang pisngi ko.

The assistant even offered me cold water, but I didn’t drink because my cheek was still numb.

Natapos ang lahat bago mag-alas-dos, at binilinan ako na iwasan muna ang sobrang tamis at uminom ng gamot kung sumakit.

Everything finished before two o’clock, and I was told to avoid too much sweetness for now and to take medicine if it hurt.

Pag-uwi, dumaan ako sa sari-sari store para sa lugaw, at ngumiti ako kahit kalahati lang dahil medyo manhid pa.

On the way home, I stopped by the sari-sari store for lugaw, and I could only give a half-smile because it was still a bit numb.

Kinagabihan, halos wala na ang kirot, kaya nag-text ako kay Nanay: 'Ayos na, si Doc ang bayani ngayon,' at nagbiro siyang magpalit daw ako ng paboritong merienda.

That night, the pain was almost gone, so I texted Mom, 'It's okay now, Doc is the hero today,' and she joked that I should change my favorite snack.